A Tampa police officer is on paid leave after he used his weapon on a suspect in a narcotics case during a foot chase, the department announced.
TPD says the incident happened around 11:30 p.m. Saturday when the officer responded to the area of South Howard Avenue, where two suspects were involved in “narcotic-related activities” in a nearby alleyway.
Officials said one suspect, 24-year-old Marco Fragoso, left the scene on foot and dropped a small bag of narcotics as the officer began chasing him.
After eventually losing sight of Fragoso, the officer reportedly found him hiding next to a vehicle in a driveway on South Albany Avenue.
Tampa police say Fragoso motioned toward his waistband, leading the officer to fire one round towards him.
Fragoso was not hit by gunfire, was not injured and was taken into custody. The officer was also not injured.
Fragoso was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, tampering with physical evidence and resisting arrest without violence.
The officer has been placed on administrative leave, per Tampa Police Department protocol.